Press Release: 2024 Plans for F Street

February 16, 2024: [Salida, CO] —

In an effort to address and balance our community needs, F Street will remain open to vehicular traffic this summer.

A number of concerns have been identified by community members and City staff with keeping the street closed. Downtown is the highest risk for the fire department and during the closure, access to downtown buildings by fire or other public safety officers was severely limited. City Council also heard feedback from Salidans that the closure presents accessibility issues for our differently-abled community. Barricading the streets makes our downtown corridor less universally accessible and creates challenges for people to find parking and frequent their favorite shops and restaurants.

The City is currently working to improve the wayfinding signage throughout the community, including in the downtown core. This includes additional information about available parking, businesses off the main downtown corridor, location of comfort amenities and access to trails and parks. The City is planning investments in beautification and lighting this summer.

If downtown businesses are interested in leasing space in front of their business in the parking right-of-way, they should contact our Planning Department at john.armstrong@cityofsalida.com to learn more about the program.

ADA improvements at the corners of F Street and 2nd Street and F Street and 3rd Street are currently in the design phase, with completion planned for 2025. Those improvements include expansion of the sidewalks on those corners, which could include additional pedestrian space or other amenities meant to slow traffic and create a greater sense of safety.